In Focus @ GWA
A news bulletin for the families of George Walton Academy
May 9, 2024
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Email: info@gwa.com
Website: www.gwa.com
Phone: (678) 635-3800
Key Deadlines & Dates
- Summer Camps Registration: register at gwa.com
Senior Art Show: May 9 (see below)
Seniors' Last Day: May 10
Senior Banquet: May 14
MS Awards: May 15
US Awards: May 16
Yearbook Presentation: May 16 @ 1 p.m. (see below)
Baccalaureate: May 17 @ 6 p.m
Graduation: May 18 @ 9 a.m.
Early Dismissal: May 20-22, grades 6-11 will dismiss at 12:15 p.m.
Exams (grades 8-11): May 20-23
K5 Graduation: May 22 @ 7 p.m.
Fifth Grade Graduation: May 23
Last Day of School: May 23 (early dismissal for all) LS - 11-11:15 a.m., no buses, no aftercare. MS/US will dismiss at 10 a.m.
CLICK HERE for complete exam policies.
George Walton Academy is pleased to announce our Class of 2024 valedictorian Riley Edwards and salutatorian Jordan Smothers. Both Riley and Jordan will attend the Morehead Honors College at the University of Georgia in the fall.
Congratulations to Riley and Jordan on their outstanding achievements!
Student of the Year
Jordan Smothers has been chosen as the Rotary Student of the Year for George Walton Academy. He has selected Cara Benfield as Teacher of the Year. Jordan is an AP Scholar with Distinction, has received the College Board National Rural/Small Town Recognition Award and was named a 2023 Samsung American Legion National Winner. He has been recognized for 2,200 documented service hours- growing and donating an organic garden to those with food insecurity and is the recipient of Congressional Award Bronze, Silver, and Gold medals. Jordan is an active member of National Honor Society, Beta Club, and Mu Alpha Theta. He has been a member of the GWA varsity clay target team for the past four years and he is a 4-H certified teen leader.
Jordan will attend the Morehead Honors College at the University of Georgia. Congratulations to Jordan and Mrs. Benfield!
Award-Winning Essay
Congratulations to sophomore Autumn Koman on being named a state finalist in the Georgia Laws of Life Essay contest! This statewide contest is an opportunity for student essayists to express “their passion, their values, and their "law of life" through a process of introspective self-discovery.”
Autumn’s exemplary writing placed her in the top 18 of state finalists from a narrowed field of 50 school winners (out of a total of nearly 1,345 essays submitted). Great job, Autumn!
CLICK HERE for the list of GWA grade level winners.
Best Bookmarks
Congratulations to the winners of the bookmark contest from this year's Read Across America Week! The winners in each grade level are as follows: K3- Graylynn Britt, K4- Evadell Cuvin (not pictured), K5- Penny Beaulieu, 1st grade- Maisie Yoder, 2nd grade- Ansley Patterson, 3rd grade- Cora Harms, 4th grade- Iryna Thomason, 5th grade- Tinsley Bowen.
State Champs - Again!
The GWA girls’ lacrosse team earned the GIAA Lacrosse State Championship title for second consecutive year! They defeated Pinecrest Academy 10-8 and played with grit and determination. We are incredibly proud of these athletes! Congrats to Head Coach Jamie Lill and the entire team!
Game stats:
- Ady Odell broke 350 career goals during the game. She had a total of 11 saves in the championship game.
- Adrianna DiCicco dominated draw control. Leila Mathis, Kierstin Henderson, Claire Lawrence, Alexis Hendrix and Reid Booker each claimed possession off of the draw control.
- Leila Mathis - 3 goals
- McNair Shannahan - 3 goals
- Alexis Hendrix - 1 goal
- Claire Lawrence - 2 goals
- Libby Root - 1 goal
- Defense: Kendall Inman, Zoie Hamman, Abby Holley and Sarah Digby each had forced turnovers resulting in GWA possession.
Back to Back Titles
Our boys’ lacrosse team defeated Strong Rock 9-2 to win the GIAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP game! We are so proud of our talented boys’ lacrosse players – they demonstrated skill and sportsmanship throughout their outstanding season. Congrats to Head Coach Scott Jackson on another State title win and on the overall strength of the lacrosse program at GWA! Way to go, Bulldogs! Game stats:
- Marcus Porter led the way defensively with 13 saves
- AJ Dillard scored 4 goals
- Tiedrell Ansley and Mason Kirkpatrick scored 2
- Emmett Kirkpatrick scored 1
Stage Presence
The GWA Dance Department presented their spring dance showcase, “Baby, I’m a Star!” last Friday. Dancers performed jazz, lyrical, ballet, hip-hop and musical theatre dance routines to some of their favorite hits. Congratulations to teacher Genie Wiggins and her talented dancers on an outstanding show!
Bravo, Bulldogs!
Before a crowd of family and friends, our 6th-12th grade bands gave excellent performances during their recent Spring Band Concert!
Today's In Focus is proudly sponsored by AM Concrete (https://am-concreteinc.com).